The 20 Best Men’s Hiking Pants

When you get out of town in search of adventure, you don’t want to be wearing just any pants — seriously. In addition to all of the other hiking gear you put in your daypack — from rugged everyday carry pieces to the more mundane supplies — you need to be prepared from head to toe on your next hike. And that goes for your pants, too.

Surely, you’re going to want a pair of the best hiking pants for men, a pair that’s durable, rugged, able to go to the top of the mountain and back again. And you want a pair of hiking pants that’s infused with functionality, weatherproof quality and good looks — after all, you still want to look your best even when trekking out of town for an off-grid hike. And make no mistake, the best hiking pants — from respected outdoor brands like Patagonia and Fjallraven — can help get the job done.

The fall and beyond is a perfect time of year for getting out of town, too — so you need to start checking items off your packing list … like, right now. To help, we’ve listed the 20 best men’s hiking pants on the market today.

The North Face Men’s Superhike Pants

The North Face has struck gold with its Superhike Pants — a pair of pants that could pass for your favorite pair of chinos, yet filled out with the rugged durability you’d expect from a pair of one of the best men’s hiking pants. They’re both lightweight and yet feature a DWR finish, and a patch pocket on the left hip offers a bit of carrying capability to go along with those features. With a very accessible price, these hiking pants are, in short, a surefire winner. – Buy It

Fjallraven High Coast Hike Trouser

In addition to its recognizable daypacks and standout jackets, Fjallraven can outfit you with rugged, durable pants for plenty of hiking adventures in the great outdoors. Even the High Coast Hike Trousers are fittingly named — these would be perfect for scaling a rocky coast. It starts with a pliant stretch fabric that serves a dual-fold purpose in terms of breathability and mobility. And the construction is perfectly rugged, featuring a crotch gusset and elastic belt for extra utility. We also like the zippered leg pockets for carrying your essentials. – Buy It

Patagonia Field Pants

Patagonia can more than step up to the challenge when it comes to essential, durable outdoor gear — the brand’s storied history has taught us that much. And the brand’s Field Pants continue that lineage; if you value great hiking gear, you might know this already. They really do pack a lot in in terms of functionality, from the nylon-spandex fabric to the durable, water-repellent finish. Two zip-closure utility pockets also offer space to carry all those small items you can’t get through a hike without — time to get out and explore. – Buy It

Mountain Hardwear Men’s Chockstone Hike Pants

Leave it to a brand like Mountain Hardwear to live up to its name, and well … they just might do it. The brand’s Chockstone Hike Pants are revered for their quality and durability — that much is clear. The brand’s Chockstone line also has its share of admirers, and if you’ve already got one piece of the collection in your bag for a day hike, perhaps it’s worth it to add the Chockstone Hike Pants, too. Available in colors that look sharp but won’t draw too much attention, they draw their name from the brand’s Chockstone softshell fabric, which is stretchy and durable. – Buy It

Haglofs Rugged II Mountain Pants

Haglofs has done what seems to be nearly impossible — take a rugged hiking pant and made it even more, well, rugged. Made from an environmentally conscious take on DWR, the Rugged II Mountain Pant is perhaps the last pair of hiking pants you’ll need to buy for a long while. From the minimal color options to design details like the front zip thigh pockets and reinforced fabric in areas of heavy wear, the Rugged II Mountain Pant is surely fit for any hike you’ve got planned this next season. – Buy It

Marmot Men’s Arch Rock Pants

Marmot considers every last detail with products like its Arch Rock Pant — at least, that’s what we think. With both moisture-managing qualities and abrasion-resistant durability, the Arch Rock Pant definitely checks the boxes you should be looking for in a new hiking pant. Worthy of inclusion on our list of the best hiking pants for men — certainly. They also feature UPF protection and quick-drying capability, both key when out on long hikes With the Arch Rock Pant, you can certainly take a lot of ‘em. – Buy It

Topo Designs Climb Pants

Much like Patagonia and Fjallraven, Topo Designs takes a holistic approach to outfitting you for the hike ahead — the brand’s Climb Pants are evidence of that, and they’re a wise accessory alongside a Topo Designs daypack. That’s only the beginning — the mid-weight stretch cotton is a reliable fabric that ensures durability and ongoing performance, for starters. And the T-lock belt and USA-made construction also ensure top-notch dependability as you hit the trail time and again. The brand helpfully offers them in four cool colors, so you’ve got some excellent options when you want to hike in style. – Buy It

The North Face Paramount Trail Convertible Pants

The North Face doesn’t do just heavy down parkas or winter coats — let’s get that straight. The brand’s Paramount Trail Convertible Pants also function like durable hiking shorts, what with durable DWR fabric and UPF protection. The relaxed straight fit provides plenty of mobility, while the black color goes with any hiking gear you’ve got in your wardrobe — don’t pass up on quality even on the trail. The best part? They feature a lifetime warranty, a nice added benefit for those who like to get out and hike week after week. – Buy It

Taylor Stitch Chore Pants

If you shop the pages of the Taylor Stitch site regularly, you know that the brand does a heck of a lot more than just great chambray shirts and denim. They also dabble in the outdoor space — more than dabble, actually. The Taylor Stitch Chore Pant epitomizes the brand’s emphasis on form and function, from the use of 12oz. Mt. Vernon duck canvas to the stylish washed olive color. Wear these pants while camping on the waterfront and wear them on your hike — Taylor Stitch has made it so they stand up to both. – Buy It

Outdoor Research Men’s Ferrosi Pants

If you thought a brand like Outdoor Research could make a good pair of hiking pants, well … you’re absolutely right. The Ferrosi Pants look more like a five-pocket pant than they do a pair of rugged hiking pants, and that’s not a bad thing. With eight color options and a very agreeable price, the Ferrosi Pants combine quality and affordability in one package (more money for beer to take on your next hike). The blend of nylon and spandex ripstop fabric also provides great durability — did we mention this fabric is wind-resistant, too? – Buy It

Columbia Titan Peak Convertible Pants

With the Titan Peak Convertible Pant from Columbia, you’re looking at a pair of pants that also offer the versatility of shorts — just zip them away to get equally great style and durability in the process. But the main features that make the Titan Peak Convertible Pant so great? It might be the four-way comfort stretch, or it might be the Omni-Shield advanced rain protection — whichever way you slice it, these pants are made for adventurous hikes (as long as you’re outfitted on your top half with Columbia apparel, we should add). – Buy It

Arc’teryx Gamma AR Pants

Arc’Teryx blends minimal menswear with the kind of tailored, continental approach you might expect from a fashion brand. Take its Gamma AR Soft Shell Pants, made with both a slim fit and the type of technical properties you need to carry you through your next hike and beyond. They’re certainly an investment, but you get a product from the brand’s Gamma line — geared toward resisting the weather — on top of versatile color and durability. All three things that are more than nice to have on a hike, right? – Buy It

Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex Pants

Not only does Norrona make a heck of a pair of hiking pants, they make a pair of pants that can work in any season. The brand’s impressive Falketind Gore-Tex Pants are a four-season piece of apparel, crafted in black Gore-Tex fabric that’s custom-finished for a soft feel. The result is a modern pair of hiking pants for the guy who appreciates both technical details and simple style. From the custom-fit waist system to the reinforced inside leg, the details you need — and the style you want — are considered in these pants. – Buy It

Edgevale Cast Iron Pants

With the Cast Iron Pant, Edgevale is betting on extreme durability and function — you can be sure that these pants live up to that approach. From the brand’s Rugged Slim Straight fit to the brand’s own Cast Iron fabric, made with the help of Cordura, these American-made duck cotton nylon pants can take on rugged hikes aplenty. Details like YKK hardware and triple-needle stitching also live up to the brand’s promise of durable style and mobility. And the Wheat colorway? It doesn’t look half-bad when you’re off the hiking trail, either. – Buy It

5.11 Tactical Apex Pants

5.11 Tactical specializes in just that — technical gear with a durable and rugged edge. In this instance, the Apex Tactical Pant provides both, from the brand’s “precision engineering” to features like internal cargo pouch pockets and Flex-Tac mechanical stretch canvas. Articulated knees and a comfort waistband also provide mobility, while nine distinct color options give you the chance to hike in style — or hike covertly. The good news is, 5.11 Tactical gives you the gear to do either, and you’ve definitely got the option to pick and choose — the brand’s affordable pricing takes care of that. – Buy It

Granite Camp Pants 2.0

In its arsenal of durable shirting and well-crafted outdoor gear, Western Rise also makes the Granite Camp Pant — the 2.0 edition, that is. The brand says it found the perfect “rugged yet comfortable” cloth to make a pair of hiking pants for the adventurous, yet style-minded guy. The four-way stretch adds mobility, the modern cut adds some style for off-the-trail excursions, and handy features like a phone pocket and a hidden wallet pocket keep your essentials in check all throughout your hike. The only thing missing is, dare we say it … a Western Rise shirt. – Buy It

Prana Zion Stretch Hiking Pants

Nordstrom might not be a place you expect to find hiking pants, but prAna is indeed a brand that makes a durable, well-crafted, nearly essential pair for the stylish, outdoor-minded guy in your life (that’d be you). Available in seven colors and featuring a blend of nylon and spandex, both back patch pockets and front slant pockets offer a nice mix of utility and subtle functionality — they’ll definitely come in handy on long hikes. Plus, the agreeable (sub-$100) price should definitely work out mighty fine for your bank account. – Buy It

Fjallraven Abisko Lite Trekking Trousers

The Trekking Lite Trouser from Fjallraven is unique among hiking pants — it’s a lightweight version of your favorite hiking pant, made with plenty of durability and quality construction nonetheless. From the G1000 Lte fabric to reinforced leg and lower leg openings, it’s a standout in terms of rugged functionality. And this is coming from a brand that knows a thing or two about durable hiking pants and gear, mind you. The Abisko Lite Trekking Trousers are made with longevity in mind, too — the price reflects that, but so does the quality. – Buy It

Western Rise AT Slim Rivet Pants

It can be tough to find a pair of hiking pants that look as good as they perform — while we think the picks on this list are certainly up to snuff, it’s still a taxing endeavor for the discerning shopper. However, the AT Slim Rivet Pant might just take the cake when it comes to hiking pants that look stylish and perform very, very well. Based on the design of the original patent pair of jeans, the fabrication of the Slim Rivet Pant sheds water, dries quickly and looks quite good doing it. – Buy It

Timberland Ivanhoe Lake Convertible Zip-Off Hiking Pants

To go along with your rugged, durable Timberland boots and workwear staples, the brand has made the Ivanhoe Lake Convertible Zip-Off Pant — a fine addition to your rotation in terms of dependable hiking gear for the long haul. In a cool Beach Sand color, these durable pants can easily zip off into shorts and look great in the process. The shorts can team with a faded indigo or heather blue polo off-duty, while the full set of hiking pants keeps you moving forward in functional style while on the trail. – Buy It

Beau Hayhoe is a menswear PR pro and freelance style writer based in
Brooklyn, NY. An alumnus of Michigan State University, Beau also runs and edits The Style Guide, a personal menswear blog. Beau writes regularly for several online publications, and his work has also appeared on Dappered and Genteel Flair. He can often be found shopping or enjoying a great craft brew around NYC.